Grant County Commissioners Make Six Proclamations at Regular Meeting

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

During public input at the beginning of the Grant County Commission regular meeting on Thursday, March 26, Lonnie Sandoval, spokesperson for the Loma Verde Subdivision road improvement request, asked for an update.

County Attorney Abigail Robinson asked Sandoval to touch base with County Planner Anthony Gutierrez and Ordinance Officer Ray Castillo. "I think we are ahead on Loma Verde," Robinson said.

"The residents have come to agreement that all will pay equally into the road improvement district," Sandoval said.

Gabe Holguin, Gila National Forest fire and aviation staff officer, gave an overview of projected fire conditions for this year.

"The main factors are the drought status, conditions of fine fuels, seasonal temperatures and precipitation and the monsoon," Holguin said. "In the drought, we have seen some improvement, but we are not completely out of it. We still have stressed vegetation and dead trees and brush. As for fine fuels, last year, we had a robust monsoon, so we have an abundance of fine fuels in the Gila and around communities. In the timing of the weather pattern, this spring we expect above average precipitation and average temperatures. In late May into June, the grass will cure, and it will be peak fire season. The four Snotel stations show a range from 50 percent of normal to 110 percent, but it is coming off quickly. The Silver Creek Divide station off Bursum Road had the most snow.

"We are not predicting any excessively dry or windy conditions," he continued. "We are in an El Niño pattern, with the storm track right over us and a bit better than usual. But along with storms, there will be more lightning, so more fires. It depends on other factors. My prediction is more lightning, more fires. My expectation is lots of small fires, and I'm not expecting and hoping there will be no larger fires.

"We have our regular resources in play, and hope there will be no Type 1 or Type 2 incidents," Holguin said. "We think our Type, 3, 4, and 5 resources will be busy. We have 11 engines on the forest, with two in Silver City, one in the Mimbres and 1 in Glenwood. The Silver City Hotshots have begun training, as have the Gila Hotshots. Smokejumpers should arrive in early May. Our fire season is the first in the country. "

Commissioner Ron Hall asked if resources would be brought to the Grant County Airport.

"Yes, and we thank you for the fuel farm this year," Holguin said. "The large air tankers won't be here unless they are requested. They will sit in Missoula, Montana, or Alamogordo, so they are readily available. We will have the regular contingent of helicopters, which come on contract in April. We are doing everything we usually do and have done before the past five years. The drought has dictated what we've done in recent years. We've been on the defensive. We need fire to recycle forest nutrients. We like to be on the offensive and treat large acreages. We make the decisions to use fire thoughtfully. This season, we may have the opportunity to do so."

Hall asked if that would include thinning.

"As budgets allow, we will keep the crews busy and will put them to work thinning, doing prescribed fires and managing fires within natural boundaries," Holguin replied.

Hall said the commissioners depend on Holguin to come to the meetings to keep them informed.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos asked Holguin to let the forest supervisor know: "we appreciate your participation in the Eco-Watershed Committee."

The next public comment came from Public Regulations Commissioner Sandy Jones, who invited commissioners and the public to attend the hearings that afternoon at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. "We will be discussing the decommissioning of two of the San Juan Power Plant towers. It's one of our biggest issues in the past 25 years. It sets a new track for electrical generation in New Mexico. The governor, PNM, and the New Mexico Environment Department entered into an agreement to decommission the two stations. The PRC approves how the power is replaced. PNM is also bringing a rate case just behind this one. The two cases are intermingled in some ways."

He said some good things came out of the legislative session. "The economic development rate bill passed, which allows electrical utilities to offer reduced utility rates to attract businesses to the state."

Matt Schultz, Gila National Forest planner, said the forest is at the very beginning stage of revising the GNF forest plan for the next 15 years. "Although the 1986 plan has been amended several times, factors require a revision right now. The process includes public collaboration and engagement, as well as cross-governmental coordination. In our joint objectives, we will look at all plans in Grant County and what is appropriate to incorporate into our plan. The process is multi-phase and multi-year, taking about four years. We are getting our internal teams together right now. In May, we will release the official notice. We want Grant County to be an active participant. We are willing to come to the next Grant County Commission meeting and will be happy to attend future meetings."

Ramos said he was looking forward to the collaboration and working together. "We've had some bad experiences in the past, when we were heard, but not really heard. We hope you mean it this time."

Hall said he attended the original forest plan revision meeting. "I saw things I liked. We're more than willing to come to the table."

Sen. Howie Morales was in attendance at the meeting and was invited to speak. "I thank you for your support of youth, and I'm here to celebrate our youth in the proclamations today."

District Attorney Francisca Estevez said she was in attendance to support the Start by Believing proclamation and for the students of Cliff.

The first proclamation was for the Cobre Wrestling team, which, under Coach Reyne Maynes had three state champions, with the team placing third at state competition. Junior Robert Rodriguez earned his second state title by pinning everyone he wrestled. Junior Eric Morales Jr. earned his first state title and sophomore Randy Maynes, the coach's son, won his first state title.

The Silver High School wrestling team, under Coach Luis Alvarado, Coach Juan Carlos Maynes and Coach Rusty Nations, placed second at state, with Shawn Dubiskas taking his second straight state title.

The third proclamation went to the Cliff Basketball Team for their 11th state championship, this time under the son, Coach Brian Shock, of the previous winning coach, and assistant coach Chelsea Shock.

County Manager Charlene Webb, who was raised in Cliff and attended Cliff High School, as well as playing basketball for the school, said: "I am happy to have them here. You don't often see such a group with their great sportsmanship."

Three Realtors and the director of the Grant County Association of Realtors received the proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month.

Nancy Cliff and other members of the trails group accepted the proclamation for Continental Divide Trail Days, April 10, 11 and 12.

The "Start by Believing Day" to bring awareness of sexual assault was received by Sixth Judicial District Court D.A. Estevez and Cheryl Wilguess. The month of April will educate the public. The first event is on April 1, with the motto: "Sexual Assault is no joke."

Hall commented that so many never report their sexual assaults. "Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, too."

Harry Pecotte, pilot, said the Grant County Pilots' Association wanted to offer its assistance to the county on airport issues. "Good job on getting the fuel farm. It was a danger and a hindrance not to have fuel." He gave some history, saying in the 1950s, a group called the Grant County Mercy Flyers would fly patients to Albuquerque. In 1981, the Grant County Pilots' Association was formed. "I am the president, and I am here today to offer you our help to the commissioners and the airport manager."

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said the county has a number of advisory boards. "I think this would be good. We are concentrating on keeping the airport professional. Start with Charlene and we'll get the process together."

Hall echoed that input from the pilots and the formation of an advisory group would be important to the commissioners.

Grace Williams, Athena Wolf, Sunny Johnson and Ian Bailey, were on hand to give an update on the Mimbres Valley Health Action League.

Williams said the group is a non-profit organization, organized in 2003, to address health, well-being, and quality of life projects for a safe and healthy environment in the valley. It provides educational opportunities and access to health and social services, including preventative health education, economic stability and food security. She held up a copy of the Mimbres Messenger, a monthly newsletter supported by local ads and donations. It includes a calendar of events. About 640 copies are distributed in the valley.

Johnson said she has managed the commodities distribution for the past two years, using a Single Socks grant.

Williams noted the main fundraiser is the annual Harvest Festival, begun 10 years ago. "It stays focused on farmers. We collaborate with the San Lorenzo Elementary School, where it is held, and the Grant County Community Health Council, which puts on a health fair, that in 2014 served 250 clients. It will take place this year on October 10. Our last project is children. We have helped the school create a community garden and greenhouse behind San Lorenzo Elementary to reinforce math and reading skills. We provide the funds."

Kasten asked for the days and times of the Farmers' Market. "We will begin around June 21, on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. About a month ahead of that date, we will have plant starts."

Razanna Robinson-Thomas, Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition coordinator, gave an update on the proposed Youth Council. "In November, you signed letters of support for our application for the Freeport McMoRan Community Investment Fund. Although we were not funded, we have re-allocated funds for the Youth Council of Grant County. We got all the school administrators to agree to participate. On April 27, at 4:30 p.m. we will meet with all of them to outline what the council will do. We envision three representatives from each school, with one a straight-A, active student, one with grades ranging from C to B and one representative, not doing as well in school. We want all-encompassing representation. We also invite JPO youths to attend. We want an eclectic, fun mix of youths to decide what we need in the community. One idea is to bring in a youth mental health trainer to teach school staff how to help the youths get the help they need."

"The council will help us revise the 101 Things for Youth to Do in Grant County," Robinson-Thomas said. "Last year, we had 50 businesses holding activities for the students and 51 activities they could do on their own. We want to change perspectives of and for youth. Our intention after three years is that we would like the county to take over the council and have it become a regular agenda item, giving the voice that youths need."

She said the coalition wants to increase the number of businesses this year to 65. "The business provides the activity for youth; the business provides a positive experience; and we provide everything the business needs for the activity." The coalition is holding a fundraiser to support 101 Things. The sale of Bingo cards will raise funds, at $5 each, to play Bingo at Penny Park on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m.

"If we could bottle your enthusiasm, we'd never have to fundraise again," Kasten noted.

"We hear about bad kids, but we want to let you and them know that most are good kids," Hall said.

Commissioners approved: